Smith: Salmon is guest star on Angels' version of 'Love Boat'

Jan. 31, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Former Angels slugger and 2002 World Series champion Tim Salmon is happy to sign a copy of his autobiography, "Always an Angel," for fan Helen Kulper of Anaheim during an autograph session on the Angels Fan Cruise aboard the Carnival Inspiration. MARCIA C. SMITH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Former Angels slugger and 2002 World Series champion Tim Salmon is happy to sign a copy of his autobiography, "Always an Angel," for fan Helen Kulper of Anaheim during an autograph session on the Angels Fan Cruise aboard the Carnival Inspiration. MARCIA C. SMITH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL INSPIRATION – In one corner of the Champagne Lounge were Garrett Richards and Nick Maronde, Angels rookie pitchers. They were signing autographs, shaking hands, smiling shyly for photos and making small — really small — talk.

In the center of the room was Tim Salmon, the retired Angels slugger, 1993 AL Rookie of the Year and 2002 World Series champion. Mr. Angel was telling stories, polished gems from his baseball days and King Fish tales from life happily ever after.

It was at last Friday night's cocktail party, just 30 minutes after the cruise ship left Long Beach for Ensensada, Mexico, that Salmon was already keeping the yearly Angels Fan Cruise from sinking into silence.

Richards, 24, and Maronde, 23, proved to be affable, approachable ballplayers. They deserve credit for being willing to endure 64 hours aboard a floating Vegas with 266 of the Angels' most unsinkable fans.

But they could pack their combined 49 games of Angels baseball experience into something the size of a toiletry bag compared to Salmon's steamer trunk of Angels history.

They too were watching and listening to the King Fish at sea, possibly wishing that Salmon's charisma and charm were available in travel-size bottles at the duty-free store.

Now 44, six years into baseball retirement and about to start a third season into his second career as an Angels baseball analyst for Fox Sports Net, Salmon still remains an Angels fan favorite and a seasoned veteran at being one.

Salmon didn't just walk from place to place on the boat. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder seemed to glide, his black hair perfectly styled and his mega-watt smile flashing like that of a matinee idol.

"I've been told Dean Cain would play me if there were an Angels movie," Salmon said bashfully.

A clean-cut, Christian family man and father of four, Salmon was nowhere to be found Saturday afternoon when the fan cruisers took the party to Ensenada's Papas&Beer at the intersection of Debauchery and Shame.

But Salmon appeared in suit and tie for the captain's dinner Saturday night in the Carnivale Room, rising tableside to dance with and twirl his wife, Marci, when "That's Amore" played.

Their twins, Katelyn and Ryan, who celebrated their 13th birthday the night before, clapped for their parents. Salmon, who didn't have a cap to tip, gave a royal wave to the late-dining audience.

Richards opened up about having to don a Miss Wonderland costume during 2011 rookie dress-up while Maronde recalled having to board a late-season flight to Seattle in nothing but a diaper, bib and baby cap.

Then both turned to hear Salmon's hazing horror.

"I remember mine in 1993, dressing up in 1960s garb with platform shoes this thick," said Salmon, his thumb and fingers spanning about 5 inches.

That day, he had emerged from the front of Angels Stadium to board the team bus to the airport. Instead he was greeted by 1,000 fans who besieged him for autographs and chased him when he sprinted around the outside of the ballpark to find the buses.

Just as Salmon arrived, four buses pulled away, two Angels' charters heading in one direction, two Yankees' charters in another. Salmon, picked up in a car driven by his wife, followed the buses headed for Ontario.

"I was panicking. My heart was racing," Salmon recalled. "If I get to the airport and see (Yankee) Don Mattingly's face, I'm going to be so bummed out. Fortunately, when I got there, the Angels' traveling secretary said, 'What are you doing? Get on the plane!'"

Salmon has the boat rocking more than it already was because of rough seas. He spent time visiting, engaging and connecting with longtime Angels fans who said they watched him play for 14 seasons (1992-2004, 2006) and that they saw every one of his 1,672 games — all with the Angels and second-most club history.

He graciously listened to fans' memories of his career in which he batted .282, knocked in 1,016 runs and walked a club-record 970 times.

He also hit more home runs than any Angel (299). "And being one short of 300 makes for a better story," he said.

Fans sought Salmon's signature on their posters, baseballs, cards, photos, bobbleheads, copies of his "Always an Angel" autobiography and World Series memorabilia. He signed everything, even personalizing many items.

"You should write your phone number on that in case it gets lost," Salmon told Jamie McKenzie, 7, of Irvine, who had given the slugger his Little League glove to sign.

"I'm a Little League coach too," said Salmon, who resides in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has coached all the baseball, football and softball teams of Callie, 19; Jacob, 16; and his 13-year-old twins.

On the cruise, Salmon also coached Richards and Maronde, two promising pitchers, in how to be Mr. Angel.

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